Chandler Parsons spent the first three seasons of his career with the Rockets. With the small forward headed to Dallas, take a look back at his time in Houston.

Chandler Parsons spent the first three seasons of his career with the Rockets. With the small forward headed to Dallas, take a look back at his time in Houston.

Photo: Bob Levey / For the Chronicle

Image 2 of 18

<center><strong>High school</strong></center><h3</h3>
Parsons starred at Lake Howell High School in Winter Park, Florida, helping the team win the Florida Class 5A state basketball championship as a senior in 2007. He also participated in the Jordan Brand All-American Classic. less

<center><strong>High school</strong></center><h3</h3>
Parsons starred at Lake Howell High School in Winter Park, Florida, helping the team win the Florida Class 5A state basketball championship as a senior ... more

Photo: Ned Dishman / Getty Images

Image 3 of 18

<center><strong>University of Florida: freshman season (2007-08)</strong></center><h3</h3>
Parsons averaged 8.1 points and 4 rebounds in his first season with the Gators, playing in 36 games. less

<center><strong>University of Florida: freshman season (2007-08)</strong></center><h3</h3>
Parsons averaged 8.1 points and 4 rebounds in his first season with the Gators, playing in 36 ... more

Photo: Doug Benc / Getty Images

Image 4 of 18

<center><strong>University of Florida: sophomore season (2008-09)</strong></center><h3</h3>
Parsons again played in 36 games for the Gators, seeing his production increase to 9.2 points per game and an average of 5.7 rebounds per contest. less

<center><strong>University of Florida: sophomore season (2008-09)</strong></center><h3</h3>
Parsons again played in 36 games for the Gators, seeing his production increase to 9.2 points per game and an ... more

Photo: Orlando Sentinel / MCT via Getty Images

Image 5 of 18

Image 6 of 18

<center><strong>University of Florida: junior season (2009-10)</strong></center><h3</h3>
In his third season in Gainsville, Parsons logged more than 30 minutes per game for the first time, finishing with averages of 12.4 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, of which the former would be a career best for him in college. less

<center><strong>University of Florida: junior season (2009-10)</strong></center><h3</h3>
In his third season in Gainsville, Parsons logged more than 30 minutes per game for the first time, finishing with ... more

Photo: Joel Auerbach / Getty Images

Image 7 of 18

<center><strong>University of Florida: senior season (2010-11)</strong></center><h3</h3>
Parsons returned to Florida for his senior season, again playing in 36 games while averaging a career-best 34.1 minutes per game. He finished the season averaging 11.3 points and 7.8 boards per contest before entering the NBA draft. less

<center><strong>University of Florida: senior season (2010-11)</strong></center><h3</h3>
Parsons returned to Florida for his senior season, again playing in 36 games while averaging a career-best 34.1 ... more

Photo: Mitchell Layton / Getty Images

Image 8 of 18

<center><strong>2011 NBA draft</strong></center><h3</h3>
The Rockets ended up with three draft picks after the 2011 draft. Marcus Morris, a power forward from Kansas, was selected 14th overall, Donatas Motiejūnas, a power forward from Lithuania, was selected 20th overall and acquired in a draft-day trade, and Chandler Parsons, a small forward from Florida, was selected 38th overall. less

<center><strong>2011 NBA draft</strong></center><h3</h3>
The Rockets ended up with three draft picks after the 2011 draft. Marcus Morris, a power forward from Kansas, was selected 14th overall, Donatas ... more

Photo: Bill Baptist / NBAE/Getty Images

Image 9 of 18

<center><strong>Rookie season</strong></center><h3</h3>
Parsons averaged 9.5 points per game, 4.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 steals in just over 28 minutes while playing in 63 games and starting 57 times in his rookie season. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie 2nd Team. less

<center><strong>Rookie season</strong></center><h3</h3>
Parsons averaged 9.5 points per game, 4.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 steals in just over 28 minutes while playing in 63 games and starting 57 ... more

Photo: David Sherman / NBAE/Getty Images

Image 10 of 18

Image 11 of 18

<center><strong>2012-13 season</strong></center><h3</h3>
Parsons started 76 games for the Rockets in his second season as a pro. His numbers saw a boost as well as the team realized his versatility. He averaged more than 36 minutes per game while averaging 15.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1 steal. His free-throw percentage also rose from 55 percent in his rookie season to 73 percent after a year in the league. less

<center><strong>2012-13 season</strong></center><h3</h3>
Parsons started 76 games for the Rockets in his second season as a pro. His numbers saw a boost as well as the team realized his versatility. He ... more

Photo: Gerald Herbert / Associated Press

Image 12 of 18

<center><strong>2012-13 playoffs</strong></center><h3</h3>
Parsons started all six games for the Rockets in their first-round series loss to the Thunder. His numbers also got a boost in the postseason as his points grew to 18.2 per game while grabbing 6.5 rebounds and dishing out 3.7 assists. less

<center><strong>2012-13 playoffs</strong></center><h3</h3>
Parsons started all six games for the Rockets in their first-round series loss to the Thunder. His numbers also got a boost in the postseason as ... more

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

Image 13 of 18

<center><strong>Summer 2013 with Team USA</strong></center><h3</h3>
Chandler Parsons was left off the final roster but was one of 27 players to attend the 2013 USA Basketball Men’s National Team mini-camp held July 22-25 in Las Vegas, Nevada. less

<center><strong>Summer 2013 with Team USA</strong></center><h3</h3>
Chandler Parsons was left off the final roster but was one of 27 players to attend the 2013 USA Basketball Men’s National Team ... more

Photo: Andrew D. Bernstein / NBAE/Getty Images

Image 14 of 18

<center><strong>2013-14 season</strong></center><h3</h3>
In his third season, Parsons again improved his numbers, averaging career bests in the three major offensive categories: 16.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4 assists. less

<center><strong>2013-14 season</strong></center><h3</h3>
In his third season, Parsons again improved his numbers, averaging career bests in the three major offensive categories: 16.6 points, 5.5 rebounds ... more

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

Image 15 of 18

Image 16 of 18

<center><strong>2013-14 playoffs</strong></center><h3</h3>
While many fans might have the lasting image of Parsons chasing Damian Lillard on what turned out to be a series-winning buzzer beater in the Trail Blazers' Game 6 win, Parsons had his own big shot with 0.9 seconds remaining to tie the game. All told, Parsons again stepped up his game in the postseason, averaging 19.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists while starting all six games for the Rockets. less

<center><strong>2013-14 playoffs</strong></center><h3</h3>
While many fans might have the lasting image of Parsons chasing Damian Lillard on what turned out to be a series-winning buzzer beater in the Trail ... more

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

Image 17 of 18

<center><strong>2013-14 wardrobe malfunction</strong></center><h3</h3>
Sometimes, a picture can speak for itself. This is one of those times.

<center><strong>2013-14 wardrobe malfunction</strong></center><h3</h3>
Sometimes, a picture can speak for itself. This is one of those times.

Photo: James Nielsen / Houston Chronicle

Image 18 of 18

Parsons disappointed with treatment by Rockets

1 / 18

Back to Gallery

Former Rockets forward Chandler Parsons said Monday that he was “offended” that Rockets general manager Daryl Morey did not consider him to be the third star he sought as he happily moved on to the Mavericks a day after the Rockets chose not to match his contract to keep him.

Parsons later did not back off the comments, saying he was not sorry he made them, but he also cited praise for Morey that he had included in his comments and emphasized “I meant no disrespect.” Parsons said in a separate interview that he expected to be back in Houston and had been told the Rockets would match the offer sheet prior to reaching the deal with Dallas that the Rockets ultimately chose not to match.

“Honestly, I was offended by the whole process,” Parsons told Yahoo Sports on Monday. “They publicly said that they were going out looking for a third star when I thought they had one right in front of them. I guess that’s just how they viewed me as a player. I don’t think I’ve scratched the surface of where I can be as a player and I think I’m ready for that role.

“You can’t knock them for always trying to get better. Daryl Morey is very aggressive, is a genius, a great GM and I have nothing but respect for those guys. And they are looking to make their team better. That’s what they were doing. I just thought I could be that guy that could do that.”

Parsons said Monday that he was surprised that fans were upset, saying that he only meant that he believed he was capable of being the star the Rockets wanted.

“I didn’t mean any disrespect,” Parsons said. “I’m very thankful that the Rockets did this a year early. I said many times that I have nothing but love and respect for the organization. I just took offense to them not viewing me as a star moving forward. I just think I’m on the cusp of being a really good player in this league. I work extremely hard. I’m going to continue to get better and better.

“That was the only thing that bothered me, them saying they needed a third piece to win a championship when I viewed myself as that and did everything for the organization to be that guy. That’s why I was so excited about Dallas because talking to Mark (Cuban) and Rick (Carlisle), that’s how they view me. I hope there’s no hard feelings in Houston. I had to make the best decision for my career.”

Parsons said that after he signed, the Rockets said they were unsure if they would match the offer, but would keep him if they also signed Chris Bosh. He said Daryl Morey encouraged him to get the best deal that he could.

Parsons signed a three-year, $46 million offer sheet with the Mavericks that the Rockets chose not to match, believing that it would keep them from making additional significant moves to improve the team.

“I was under the impression that Houston was going to match and they didn’t,” Parsons said. “I had a conversation with Daryl leading up to it expected him to match. There’s no hard feelings. He had to do what he thought was best and I had to do what I thought was best. He basically told me, ‘You earned this. You worked extremely hard. You’re going to get paid a lot of money. Get the contract that’s best for you.’

“I did that. That was a disappointing thing. The whole time they told me to sign the best contract for your career, but know we’re going to match and you’re going to be back here.’ Then I signed the contract and it was are they going to match and they were undecided.

“I wasn’t trying make anybody mad. I was trying to do what was best for my career. Houston has a special place in my heart. I did think Houston would match, but they didn’t.”

In a radio interview on Monday, Morey said that “If you want to win the title, you have to be the team that finds the Chandler Parsons, not the team that gives Chandler Parsons the max contract.”

In three seasons with the Rockets, Parsons averaged 14.1 points and 5.2 rebounds, making 47.3 percent of his shots. The longest tenured Rockets player last season, he became a starter in his ninth game as a rookie and was team captain last season.

Parsons, however, said the Mavericks showed him that he was their priority, as opposed to the Rockets who had pursued Chris Bosh after both teams had Carmelo Anthony in for recruiting visits.

“They really showed how much they cared for me,” Parsons said. “They didn’t want me to wait for Bosh. They didn’t want me to wait for ‘Melo. They came forward first.

“Dallas is the perfect match to where I am in my career,” Parsons said. “It’s where I can take that next step. They have a great organization. Mark is the best owner in all of sports. I get a chance to play with Dirk for however much longer he has. It will be unbelievable to learn and grown from him and the guys they have.

“We got a chance to win. Coach [Rick] Carlisle is the best coach in the NBA. It’s the perfect situation for me. I’m ready for more leadership. I’m ready for a bigger role. They came at me with a high max offer and viewed me as a franchise player. That’s what I wanted.”

<center><strong>Isaiah Thomas</strong><h3></h3>
Point guard<h3></h3>
Age: 25<h3></h3>
Status: Agreed to a four-year $27 million deal with the Phoenix Suns, who acquired him from the Sacramento Kings in a sign-and-trade. less

<center><strong>Isaiah Thomas</strong><h3></h3>
Point guard<h3></h3>
Age: 25<h3></h3>
Status: Agreed to a four-year $27 million deal with the Phoenix Suns, who acquired him from the Sacramento Kings in a ... more